Embroidery Biz Blazes Trail

continued

When Steve Montesanto and Lorin Shipps opened Bistro Renaissance in April 2007, the first-time restaurant owners had ambitious plans. Their idea was to use traditional French and Italian cooking techniques to put a modern twist on new dishes. But in the end, a good concept wasn't good enough. Bistro Renaissance closed its doors just shy of its three-year anniversary. Neither man could be reached for comment, but in a statement on the Bistro's website, Shipps wrote, "The downturn in the state economy has made a dramatic negative impact on fine dining establishments throughout the area, and the Bistro has found it too difficult to survive."